Concussion management in children

Stephen Kara talks about concussion management in children. Stephen has an interest in sports related concussion and has commenced work at Axis Sports Medicine Clinic, focussing on the assessment and management of community based concussion.

Stephen is in his 9^th season as doctor for The Blues Super Rugby Team, having been involved with rugby medicine since 2004. He has held previous roles with Auckland Rugby and has travelled as team doctor for NZ Under 19 Teams and Māori All Blacks. He works full-time within the realm of rugby medicine, is an educator for World Rugby in pitch-side immediate care and is Chairman of Sports Medicine NZ.

Topics

How do we define a concussion in a child?
What signs and symptoms make us think concussion in a child?
Red flags that require immediate referral for hospitalisation.
What children should be removed from play and for how long? Should a child that has been removed ever be allowed back on that day?
Which children need referral to a medical for assessment and when should this assessment occur?
Rest, recover, return is the catch phrase in concussion management.

Take home messages

No return to sport/activity on day is crucial on the day of injury.
Different sports have different rules and return to play guidelines – it’s important to be aware of these.
Return to activity should be cautious.
The decision to return to school, work, or restricted activity should always be made by a medical doctor.
Return to sport should be made by a medical doctor.